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I'm now a full-time work-outside-the-home mom and while we're still going on TONS of family adventures, making time for the adventures (verses making time for writing about them!) has taken priority in my life right now.

But have no fear! Our new Facebook page is a great resource for all the wonderful family-friendly stuff happening in Prince George's County and the greater Metro DC area. Be sure to check out the Out by Ten archives on the right for lots of great activities!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

I am super excited about Cheverly's annual Truck Touch this Saturday. It will be Lucas's dream come true to climb into, honk and steer a fire truck, ambulance, delivery trucks, motorcycles, all kinds of construction vehicles and even antique cars! This annual fundraiser for the Cheverly Weekday Nursery Schools will take place this Saturday, May 2, from 10am until 2pm. Adults are free and children are $3 each.

Detailed directions and all kinds of great information can be found here.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

For months, if not years, Abel tried to get me to go with him to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. On the drive between Cheverly and Capitol Hill (a drive we make often) you pass the sign for the Aquatic Gardens as you are passing, I'll be frank, what looks like a fairly downtrodden neighborhood. He finally got me to pull off and check it out one summer afternoon when Lucas was about 6 mos old.

To say the least, we were stunned by the beauty we encountered!

Less than four miles from our home, we found acres upon acres of marshes, wetlands and--most beautifully--ponds filled with lilly pads and lotus plants! It was incredibly beautiful and even more so because it was so unexpected.

I was reminded of how long it had been since we'd visited Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens on April 21 when I heard in the news that Bill Clinton, Michelle Obama and President Obama joined Americorps volunteers to plant a tree there in honor of Earth Day and the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act which will triple Americorps.

Lucas and I visited the Aquatic Gardens again this afternoon and had a great time! We basically had the entire place to ourselves.

After walking around the ponds and taking the long wooden bridge out to the marshlands we met one of the gardeners, Tony, who was incredibly friendly. My first question to him was: When do the lotus flowers and water lilies bloom? Mid-June. The second thing I asked was: Were is the tree that Michelle Obama planted? He directed me to the tree and also shared that it was a surprise visit and he happened to be the only gardener on duty that day! In fact, he's in the background of the photo above wearing the green hat. Lucky, lucky Tony!!

The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are a true gem in Northeast DC--a great way to spend a quiet afternoon or to expose your child to nature. There is beauty to be found any time of the year, but be sure to visit during the summer to fully enjoy the blooming ponds.

Directions: From DC295 you will see signs for the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. From the southbound service road of Kenilworth Avenue south of Eastern Avenue, make a right onto Douglas Street. At the end of Douglas make another right onto Anacostia Avenue and go up about a block and a half to the entrance on the left. Detailed directions from 50, 395 or 495 can be found here. (BTW, how cool is it that they give directions for people coming via canoe?!)

Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1.

About Me

Hi! I'm Aimee aka Smiling Mama. I get the Mama title from Lucas (born in 2005) and Nathaniel (born in 2010). Along with my husband, Abel, we live in a creaky old house in a wonderful town in Prince George's County, MD. I work full-time outside the home and am seemingly unable to say no to a volunteer role. I believe in kindness, love lists, and do my best to keep smiling. Thanks for stopping by!